Gareth Bale has quite a divisive relationship with the fans at Real Madrid. Loved by some for his style of play and important goals and there are some who feel he hasn’t lived up to expectation. However, recent comments by his agent have caused debate, we analyze whether there is truth to what he is saying.
Jonathan Barnett is a man who has not minced his words when discussing his client, Gareth Bale. Throughout his tenure at Real Madrid, Barnett has publicly backed his client numerous times. Just earlier this season he stated he believes his client is worth “as much as Neymar” and he has no desire to leave the club. After his heroics in Kiev last season, he said he believes Bale can win the Ballon d’Or and that he’s the best British player ever. The point here? He backs his man through it all.
Real Madrid recently lost their third home game on the trot this weekend, the first time this has happened since 2004. In what has been a turbulent season, Bale has struggled to establish a mark on the team and has seen himself down in the pecking order. Whilst the likes of Vasquez and Vinicius Jr are nailed down starters, Bale has watched on from the bench for large parts of the season.
In this weekend’s El Clasico in La Liga, Bale was given an opportunity as he was in the starting eleven. However, as Real fell to their bitter rivals, the Welshman failed to make his mark and was hauled off for Marco Asensio after 61 minutes played. With only 20 touches of the ball, the home fans booed their man and this has angered the Welshman’s agent.
Barnett said: “This generation of Real fans will be talking about Gareth’s goals for years to come. Frankly, they should be ashamed of themselves. Gareth deserves the greatest of respect. The way the Real fans have treated Gareth is nothing short of a disgrace.”
Bale has been integral to a lot of the recent successes, with four goals in cup finals, he is a big game player. Something his agent further emphasized: “In the six years he has been in Spain, he has won everything. He’s one of the best players in the world. Those fans should be kissing his feet.”
Bale, who has scored 101 goals for Real Madrid, has been questioned consistently in the press this season. Calls about his commitment to integrating with the team, his lack of communicative abilities etc. the press has been after him. Questions of his attitude and arrogance have seen further questions raised on whether he will remain with the club beyond this summer.
Despite the persistent wonder on his future, Barnett continues to try and silence the press on the matter: “Despite what the Spanish press is reporting, he’s happy, he speaks reasonable Spanish and there is no problem between him and the rest of the Real players. The people writing these things know nothing about him.”
“There has not been one single discussion about Gareth leaving Madrid. He isn’t going anywhere this summer. Despite what’s been reported, he’s content, he wants to stay at Real and they want him.”
With all that his agent has said, does he have a point? Gareth Bale has certainly had an impact on Real since signing in 2013 for a then world record fee. With important goals and strong strings of form, he has contributed to the recent successes the club has seen. However, there are two sides to the Welsh internationals coin.
Through the important goals and big game performances, there have been the consistent injuries, the apparent struggles to integrate with the team and perhaps the biggest one in recent times; his struggle to step-up in the post-Ronaldo era.
It is no secret, Real Madrid have missed their Portuguese legend since he moved onto Juventus. Lack of attacking prowess has been incredibly present and fans all over expected Bale to finally take the mantle. For a long time, Ronaldo was said to be holding down the goal contributions of his peers, however, the numbers of this season do not hold up to this theory.
This season Bale is undergoing his third worst goals per game ratio in his 6 seasons at Real Madrid. Whilst the entirety of Real Madrid’s front line has struggled, Bale has arguably been the biggest disappointment of the crop. Not many expected Benzema to have the season he’s had, Vasquez was always seen as a utility man but not a nailed-on starter and nobody had much expectation of Vinicius.
However, perhaps the biggest problem with the comments from Barnett? Cast your mind back to the UEFA Champions League final and the fallout. Gareth Bale and his agent made the demand that the Welshman should and had to be a starter, he can be the man.
Here we are in a season where Ronaldo is gone and Bale has failed to step up, he’s failed to make a mark in the majority of the big games and is barely worthy of a starting spot in the eleven. Considering the demands made, do Real Madrid fans have a right to feel let down by Bale? Absolutely. Credit for his past achievements, he’s helped the cause but in 2019, Gareth Bale deserves the criticism from fans and pundits alike for failing to deliver.